Shiloh Shepherd

A rare breed with no major recognitions from kennel clubs, the Shiloh Shepherd dog is under development. Although appearing similar to German Shepherds, Shiloh shepherds have a larger and straighter back. Characterized with a broad and domed head, strong cheekbones, a tapering muzzle and an overall heavy appearance the dog works as service assistance, livestock guardians, as well as search-and-rescue dogs.

Shiloh Shepherd Pictures

History

Being active in breed shows, Tina M. Barber, an American breeder had been breeding the German Shepherds since 1960. During the 70s, she focused on breeding very large, old-style Shepherds. She separated the dog breed from AKC in 1990 and started maintaining registry information as Shiloh Shepherds, seemingly, a crossbred between German Shepherd and Alaskan Malamute.

Varieties

• Plush-coated Shiloh Shepherd
• Smooth-coated Shiloh Shepherd

Mix

• King Shepherd : Shiloh Shepherd, Great Pyrenees X German Shepherd
• Shiloh Shepherd X Labrador Retriever

Temperament and Intelligence

Being friendly and loyal, shilohs are easily bred as companion dogs. Although they are good with children and other animals, they possess a trainable desire for herding, obedience, assistive servicer, and other working applications. The socialization skills of this stable breed help them adapt to different environments. These calm, confident, responsive dogs make good watchdogs.

Care

• Exercise

• Grooming

• Health Problems

With their high energy level, craving for challenges, the shilohs prefer strenuous activities combined with some exercise. These dogs do best with houses having large yards, shiloh shepherd puppies can live healthily in apartments provided they get sufficient exercise. These dogs should be taken to long walks and hikes regularly, during which, keeping the alpha position over the shepherd is important for building a successful relationship. Jogging or running with the owner’s bicycle also works for preventing them becoming destructive and restless.

Both the plush-coated and the smooth-coated varieties need frequent brushing to keep their coat tangle-free and clean. Check for fleas and ticks during the warmer months. These easy-to-groom dogs need occasional baths (only twice a year) to prevent natural oil depletion.

Like all large breed dogs, the Shilohs may suffer from gastric torsion and bloating. Other serious health conditions like exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, bacterial overgrowth syndrome, hip dysplasia, and panosteitis are also observed in them and should be taken care of immediately.

Training

To build a healthy relationship with the shiloh shepherd, appropriate training methods focusing on the following rules should be adopted:

• Establish or encourage a level of respect towards each other
• Develop a means of communicating to identify each other’s needs
• Spend quality time

A method that combines both force-food and positive-reinforcement procedures can be employed by the trainers. Non-food objects act as reinforcers, tending to vary from dog to dog. Food objects should be used for recognition or as a lure.

Feeding

Shilohs should be fed with high quality dry food along with a proper mix of cooked eggs, cottage cheese, vegetables, fruits, canned food, and fresh water. Limit branded puppy food and people food because they can cause mineral and vitamin imbalances, obesity, as well as teeth concerns. Provide them with plenty of water along with proper shelter on both hot and cold days.

Differences: Shiloh Shepherd vs. German Shepherd

Points of Difference	Shiloh Shepherd	German Shepherd
Common Names	Shilohs	Alsatian Wolfdog, Alsatian, GSD, Berger Allemand, Schaferhund
Coat	Smooth thick double coat with harsh outer coat in one variety; plush coat with a distinct mane and a dense undercoat in another variety	Dense, medium-length double coat
Color	Silver, White, Gray, Golden, Black and Tan, Black	Normally Red/Black and Tan/Black
Group	Herding	Herding, Working
Height	66-76 cm (26-30 inches)	55-66 cm (22-26 inches)
Weight	Male 45-59 kg (100-130 lb); Female 36-45 kg (80-100 lb)	Male 30-40 kg (66-88 lb); Female 22-32 kg (49-71 lb)
Temperament	Courageous, Loving, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective	Intelligent, Courageous, Confident, Loyal, Obedient, Curious, Alert, Watchful
Good with child	Yes	Yes
Size of Litter	5-10 puppies	4-9 puppies
Life Expectancy	12-14 years	10-12 years
Country Originated in	The United States	Germany

Interesting Facts

• Being calm and gentle, these dogs are a useful element of therapy work.
• A male shiloh named Gandalf was at the centre of media attention in March 2007, when it found a lost Boy Scout in the rocky areas in North Carolina.
• They are the recipients of important titles and awards like “the Utility Dog”, “the Companion Dog”, “the Companion Dog Excellent” and “Canine Good Citizen”.